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The privatisation of the NHS is a vexatious issue and will remain so long after Brexit has been settled. The collapse of Carillion, which was contracted to provide cleaning and catering services to 14 hospital trusts, played into the hands of those that believe outsourcing any aspect of the nation’s healthcare is a betrayal of the sick and vulnerable.

Sir Richard Branson’s incursions into primary care have been another lightning rod. Yet sticking with the status quo does not fix an overstretched service looking after an ageing population for whom the price of sophisticated treatment is rising.

“In health, as in all public services, it is what goes on within buildings that really matters,” wrote...